Sunday 22 August 2021, Full Moon, Day 27 of Level 3 😷

Corona Gratitude 🙏

#grateful for a second spectacular weekend day; for a Roadtrip with Gary Peterson, to Hazendal which wowed us, to Epice and Protégé at Le Quartier Francais, to Orangerie Restaurant at Le Lude, and to Dieu Donné in Franschhoek, an amazing trip with the fabulous fun company of Gary; for seeing my #Bestie Llewellyn Lambert for the first time in two years, without telling him I was popping in; for a safe trip back home; for Kelly Szabo actively canvassing her friends and their friends to vote for Utopia in the Kfm Best of the Cape Awards (Best Date Night Restaurant); for an amazing sunset to end off this fabulous day; and for being happy, healthy and free. 🙏💙

I organized the 2021 Top 10 Women Chefs in the Cape Awards, and only had this weekend in which to deliver the prizes of a bottle of Adhara premium Extra Virgin olive oil to the Winelands winners, given the forecast of rain for almost all of next week. I was delighted that Gary agreed to join me. We left at 9h00, with almost no fixed commitments as far as timing went.

We had not been to Hazendal before, a fast and quick 36 minutes from Camps Bay via the R300 and turning off on to the Bottelary Road. We were astounded with what we saw and experienced, an amazing marriage of 300 plus year history and heritage, and up to date modernity through the use of glass in the new buildings. We parked nearest a motor museum in a glass building, with 10 antique cars, almost all Rolls Royces. I loved the cobalt blue one. We found the restaurant offering the Russian Tea Ceremony and wine tasting area, and the restaurant could accommodate us for a Russian High Tea with 45 minutes notice. It was an amazing selection of 10 items, half savoury and half sweet, a fabulous contrast to the boring sandwiches of the Mount Nelson afternoon tea. We learnt a number of Russian names and were even greeted in Russian by waiter Joseph. Whilst we were waiting for the preparation of the Russian Tea, Guest Relations Manager Willem van der Merwe showed us around: the Homestead, Marvol Gallery, the Babushka Deli, and a pond with a stage in the centre. Even the bathrooms were amazing. A definite Delaire feel to it, no expense being spared. We missed Chef Michelle Theron, but left the bottle of Adhara for her. The staff spoke in appreciation of having been paid in full during all stages of Lockdown, despite having been closed for 7 months of it. #Bravo

Chef Charné of Epice was ill and therefore not at work. We left her bottle of Adhara with a colleague. We saluted Chef Jess van Dyk of Protégé too, both restaurants at Le Quartier Francais.

I had arranged with Chef Nicolene Barrow to have lunch at her Orangerie Restaurant at Le Lude, the best restaurant in Franschhoek, and to hand over her Adhara prize. She was excited to be taking a five day break. We had an amazing lunch of warm crispy rolls, beautifully presented butter, duck breast, and Gary had amazing Karoo lamb, sharing bites with each other, with sides of chips and baby marrow fritters. Dessert was scoops of ice cream and sorbet. One of my scoops was kumquat ice cream, last having eaten it in Argentina two years ago mmmmm. A huge surprise was receiving two bottles of Le Lude Brut Rosé from Chef Nicolene, my favorite bubbly of all. ❤️

What a fabulous day, even getting Gary to jive dance in the car. 💃🕺

SA Corona Status: 2 690 973 cases 79421 deaths 10 527 363 vaccinations

FitBit 7500 steps 5 km

Lovemylife❤️

The Corona Virus Lockdown (Level 5), announced by our President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier to commence on 27 March 2020 and to continue until 16 April, subsequently extended to 30 April, lowered to Level 4 from 1 May, lowered to Level 3 from 1 June, lowered to Level 2 from 18 August, lowered to Level 1 from 21 September, and moved back to Adjusted Level 3 from 29 December,  extended to 15 February on 11 January 2021, extended but relaxed on 1 February, and relaxed back to Level 1 on 1 March 2021, moved back to Adjusted Level 2 on 31 May, moved back to level 3 on 16 June, and moved back to Adjusted Level 4 on 28 June, extended by two weeks on 11 July, and returned to Level 3 on 26 July, is an unprecedented event in my lifetime. I am posting my daily Facebook post to journal this Corona Lockdown Journey, perhaps to serve as material for a future Book.

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide